Red Sox talks for Gonzalez heat up

By

Nick Cafardo

December 3, 2010

We have confirmed an ESPNBoston.com report that trade talks between the Red Sox and Padres on first baseman Adrian Gonzalez have heated up.

The two sides have discussed some of Boston’s major prospects — Anthony Rizzo and Casey Kelly among them — according to a major league source. Things that would have to be worked out would be a contract extension for Gonzalez, who earns $6.2 million next season, and there would be obvious questions about his health after the slugger had shoulder surgery. Most teams require that a major player pass a physical in order for a trade to go through and that would be the case here.

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A Gonzalez-to-Red Sox deal has been in the works for some time, dating back to last year’s winter meetings but at that time the Padres’ new GM, Jed Hoyer, decided to keep Gonzalez for another season. Recently, Hoyer and team president Jeff Moorad have indicated that they would not be able to afford Gonzalez going forward.

The Padres can receive the best package of players now. The package could include three or four Sox players, one player who may be major league ready. The financial package for Gonzalez would likely be in the form of a six-year extension that could average close to $20 million per season.

The Sox recently courted Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth, but it has been clear all along that Gonzalez was the prize.